The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Davis was also given a $1,000 fine. Davis did not report at the time that he was in pursuit because he realized the truck was attempting to turn left into the body shop. Minutes after the shooting, a third deputy starts to console Davis while still at the scene. Brittain's family retained civil-rights attorneys Benjamin Crump and Devon Jacob soon after the shooting to handle the teen's estate and any civil suits. The car, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop. Jurors found Michael Davis, a former sergeant with the Lonoke County sheriff's office, guilty in the shooting death last year of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain during a traffic stop. She said that is easier for larger prosecuting offices to implement. Hes currently being held in an undisclosed jail, after being booked in Lonoke County. He is the first law enforcement officer to be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history. Staley also said the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office does not have dash cameras on its police vehicles. The civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis. Few details about the shooting have been officially released over the past two months. At times, prosecutors will recuse themselves and request a special prosecutor for cases involving law enforcement officers because of the relationship between the two bodies. But even after the verdict, the Brittain family said this isn't the end of them telling Hunter's story. Crump and Jacob invoked other people killed by police, including Breonna Taylor, a Kentucky woman who was fatally shot during a botched police raid. Ex-deputy charged with manslaughter in death of Arkansas teen out on bond. Michael Davis of the Lonoke County sheriff's office are shown in this undated combination of courtesy photos. His attorney, Newcomb, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The two were test-driving the vehicle about 3 a.m when Davis pulled them over. I just said that he was a good guy that made a really horrible decision and choice and so that makes it even worse," Prosecuting attorney, Jeff Phillips said. During a public memorial for Brittain earlier this week, Rev. Brittains family claim the teen had been working on his pickup, and that at the time of the shooting he was unarmed, with only a bottle of antifreeze in his hands. A cop shot and killed Hunter Brittain as the 17-year-old was trying to grab an antifreeze jug from his car. I didn't say he was a mean guy. Hunter Brittain, the 17-year-old killed by a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy in June, died of gunshot wounds in his neck and arm, according to a coroner's report released Wednesday. After closing arguments, one juror had to leave for a medical emergency and they had to bring in an alternate juror, with deliberation beginning around 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 17. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. They didnt say one word that I know of, he told KATV. While it is difficult to wait for answers, it is important that the investigation that occurs is both fair and complete.. Devon Jacob, Brittains familys attorney, described the report as unclear. An Arkansas sheriff's deputy shot and killed a teenager after a traffic stop early Wednesday, officials said. TIL Sam Kinison was killed by a drunk driving 17 year old, Troy Pierson. It was emotional for witnesses and Brittain's family, many of them had to step out of the courtroom. In an interview with Davis, he said he initiated the traffic stop of Brittain's white GMC truck and heard "the truck's engine rev up and then began to travel southbound in the northbound lane." One of their witnesses included a law enforcement officer who has trained many officers of when to use deadly force. Hunter's Uncle, Jesse Brittain, said all they wanted was acknowledgment and an apology. Chuck. Text messages sent later that day and on June 28 were redacted by the state police agency. The jury finding Davis guilty of negligent homicide instead of manslaughter, is something that worried Payne, as it means Davis could go back to wearing a badge in the future. Were ready to find out something. During the early morning hours of June 23, Davis spotted Brittain driving a vehicle that was smoking heavily and an engine that was knocking, Newcomb said Wednesday. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and other media outlets have requested footage of the shooting for the past nine months, since the incident happened. Pierson pled guilty to one count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Mike Davis near a body shop in Cabot. Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock. Davis, an eight-year veteran with the Lonoke County Sheriffs office, gave the boy commands to stop and shot him before he could see what he was retrieving, which turned out to be a jug of antifreeze. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The investigation of the shooting was quickly turned over to the Arkansas State Police. Heres what you need to know. They should have no interaction with police officers because that can create a sense of bias, Marque Heydari said. Even though it's not the ending he wanted, defense attorney Robert Newcomb said juries often go with the lesser charge. Hunters family is already distrustful because they havent gotten any answers whatsoever, Crump said. Sheriff John Staley said that Davis had not turned on his body camera at the start of the traffic stop and only activated the device after the shooting had happened. Brittain was test-driving a pickup truck with his cousin that the two spent the night tinkering on at a local repair shop. Brittains family and friends have held protests nightly outside the Lonoke County sheriffs office and have complained about the lack of information released. Sadly there is not really anyone who we can point to here in Arkansas who is a quote and quote expert who can talk on this because it is untreaded territory right now. Davis, who was originally charged with felony. The witness said that Davis was in compliance with his training. A jury found former Lonoke County Sgt. That's when the jury was shown what body camera footage there is in this case, which only shows what happened after Brittain was shot. Relatives say former US Marine killed fighting in, What about Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner left in, Russia frees US Marine vet as part of prisoner exchange, Strike kills 50 at crowded Ukraine rail station, Pink Floyd members reunite and record song for Ukraine, US to send $100M more in military aid to Ukraine, Ukrainian poisonings kill 2 Russian soldiers: officials, NLR Baptist Health opens new critical care unit, Mayflower police make arrest in deadly I-40 shooting, Arkansas State Parks kicks off centennial celebration, Every Child Arkansas bringing change to foster care, AST Blog: Remembering March 1997 tornado outbreak, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. After another pre-trial hearing on March 14, the trial will officially begin on March 15. Davis retained Arkansas attorney Robert Newcomb after being fired for what Sheriff John Staley described as a policy violation for failure to turn on his body camera in a timely manner. Brittain turned into a lot off the highway and jumped out of the vehicle, which was rolling backward, Newcomb said Wednesday. Davis attorney, Robert Newcomb, said the report throws doubt on earlier statements from Brittains family members and their attorneys that the teen was shot three times. An investigator with the Arkansas State Police was called to the stand after. On Sept. 20, Davis was released on a $15,000 bond. "Why'd he hop out of the truck and grab that? Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. I cant speak to what different offices practice are. His death sparked nationwide protests over policing and racial inequality. Davis was originally charged with manslaughter, in a a case that was difficult for everyone involved. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Brittains death has received national attention in the wake of other fatal shootings involving police. Staley said on the witness stand during the trial that deputies should turn on their body cameras at about the time they initiate blue lights, if conducting traffic stops. The Brittain family is being represented by Ben Crump, the same civil rights lawyer who represented George Floyd, a Black man murdered by a former Minneapolis police officer last summer. "Now, what's gonna happen? Ultimately the 12 jurors were seated-- made up of nine women, three men, and two alternates. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis. Davis, Newcomb said. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The issue of policing is not about Black and white, Sharpton told a packed auditorium at Beebe High School, where Brittain was a rising senior. The prosecution told the jury to look at the evidence--if Davis was able to say, which he testified that he did, "show me your hands" and "get back in the vehicle," then he enough time to tell Brittain, "I am going to shoot you.". Authorities have released few details about the shooting. Devon Jacob, Brittains familys attorney, described the report as unclear. Five minutes into Rice's video, someone notes that Brittain is still breathing. Prosecuting attorney, Jeff Phillips said the state is fine with the verdict but the sentencing wasn't what they expected. The county has not decided whether to grant the hearing, County Attorney Allen Dodson said Wednesday. We definitely have been trying to come up with a way, when a citizen dies by law enforcement, for there to be an additional route to investigate that, that doesnt involve any of the agencies that work with the officers, Abdul-Bey said. He was my grandson. The document says what it says, Jacob said. Many attending the memorial wore jeans and shirts that read Justice for Hunter, in a ceremony that included Floyd family attorneys Ben Crump and Devon Jacob. Jesse Brittain, Hunters uncle, received a standing ovation when he called for an end to qualified immunity for police officers, a legal doctrine that frequently shields them from civil lawsuits for things they do in the course of their job. Al Sharpton, left, and attorney Benjamin Crump, right, escort Rebecca Payne to view her grandson's casket during the funeral service for 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the Beebe High Schools Auditorium in Beebe, Ark. King responds that the truck wouldn't shift into park. Please read our Terms of Use or contact us. It wont require a recusal, Abdul-Bey said. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Rison hit by Wednesday night storm damage, Arkansas state legislators hit the court in Hoops, Growing old and hungry: Shelbys Pantry in Carlisle, Arkansas LEARNS Act passes through House Education, Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, AR legislators play in charity basketball game, AR pantry helps to end hunger in elderly community, LEARNS Act passes through House Ed. Staley noted this was a department policy violation and used that as justification for Davis being fired. Didn't put the truck in park, nothing," Davis says. Brittain had been fatally shot by a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop early that morning. Now whats going to happen? What happened to the officer who shot Hunter Brittain? On June 24, Graham sent an email to state police special agent Robert Middleton saying, Per our phone conversation, we will not be releasing the body camera video of the recent Officer Involved Shooting in Lonoke County at this time. While it is difficult to wait for answers, it is important that the investigation that occurs is both fair and complete.. The trial for a former Lonoke County Sheriff's Deputy accused of killing an unarmed teenager during a traffic stop happened this week. The two conflicting narratives were hampered by the fact that Davis body camera was never turned on during the quick encounter. The case has garnered national attention, as calls for police reform continue around the country in the wake of last summers widespread Black Lives Matter protests. According to family members, Brittain had been working on the vehicles transmission and was taking a test drive when he was stopped by Davis. My nephew, Hunter, is laying in a grave or refrigeration and this man is going to get to go home," he said. The vehicle was smoking and making loud noises, Davis and King have said. Brittain turned into a nearby parking lot and jumped out of the backward moving vehicle and reached into the back of the truck, he said. Davis then moves to sit in another vehicle by himself. Newcomb has said Brittain was pulled over by Davis because his vehicle was smoking heavily and an engine was knocking. The police officer has a lot more situational awareness of a danger than maybe you or I would be aware of, Newcomb said. Brttain went to the bed to get something(transmission fluid / anti-freeze) for the truck. the officer fired 1 shot killing the teen. This is the ideal, Marque Heydari said. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. In their closing arguments, the defense highlighted Davis' character and how he became a police officer to help people, not hurt people. The charge was brought by special prosecutor Jeff Phillips of the 5th Judicial District after Lonoke County prosecutor Chuck Graham recused himself from the case. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, The case has attracted nationwide calls for police reform, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Special prosecutors, who dont have connections to the police agency, are then appointed by the Arkansas prosecutor coordinator, Bob McMahan. Brittain was shot by a Lonoke County Sheriff's Deputy during a traffic stop on June 23. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. Attorney Ben Crump and Jacob were retained by Brittains family in the days after the shooting as the case received national attention. The document says what it says, Jacob said. The civil rights leader and the high-profile attorney, who Sharpton has dubbed "Black America's Attorney general," deemed the police shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain "one of the most. Lonoke County Prosecutor Chuck Graham said he had received the Arkansas State Police case file on the deadly shooting of the teen during a June 23 traffic stop. During the trial, King told the jury that Brittain had been working on replacing his transmission all night. The jury handed down a one-year jail sentence and a $1,000 fine -- the maximum penalty for the charge -- after finding Davis guilty. In June, at 3 a.m. on a dark stretch of a highway in rural Arkansas, 17-year-old Hunter Brittain was shot and killed by a sergeant from the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office. Honestly, I try to do the right thing. Moving forward, both Brittain's family and Michael Davis will be involved in separate civil lawsuits against the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office. 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